Men's Lacrosse Routs Grand Canyon 17-2 in First True Home Opener

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Playing in their first true home game in four attempts, Pfeiffer University’s Kory Lutes (Orlando, FL) and Ben Nielsen (Orlando, FL) each scored three goals as the Falcons routed the Antelopes of Grand Canyon University 17-2 in non-conference men’s lacrosse action on Monday afternoon. Pfeiffer posts their first win of the season improving to 1-3 while the Antelopes fall to 1-3.

Nielsen started the day’s scoring three and a half minutes in as Nick Berkompas (Webster, NY) sent the leading pass to Nielsen. Derrick Ensor (Finksburg, MD) would sandwich a goal in between two strikes from Justin Rose (Rochester, NY) as the Falcons held a 4-0 lead after one period.

Grand Canyon jumped on the board with a man up goal at 11:42 as Jacob Hippensteel (Chandler, AZ) assisted on a Konner Klein (Scottsdale, AZ) tally. Lutes would register his first of the afternoon six minutes later, then promptly assisted on Chad Olsen’s (Great Mills, MD) goal 90 seconds later. Pfeiffer held a 6-1 lead at the break.

The Falcons opened the contest up with four goals before the halfway point of the third for a 10-1 advantage. Nielsen and Lutes each tallied unassisted before Nielsen assisted John Metz’s (O’Fallon, MO) goal. Nielsen then threw in his third and final of the day at the 8:03 mark.

Billy Lloyd (Tucson, AZ) found the back of the net for the Antelopes final goal off of a Scott Franks (Cleveland, OH) assist. Pfeiffer’s Lutes, Olsen, and Mesler each hit later in the third as the Falcons took a 13-2 lead into the fourth.

With 5:03 to play in regulation, Ensor notched his second of the day before Nolan Kronbergs (Dayton, OH) ripped a shot into the back of the net for his first. Sam McDaniel (Shreveport, LA) put home number 16 of the day before Kronbergs finished off Grand Canyon with his second of the day at the 2:00 mark.

Sam Mayes (Parker, CO) had a game-high seven ground balls and two caused turnovers for Pfeiffer. Justin Nadler (Pittsford, NY) was a perfect 7-for-7 in faceoffs. Lloyd had a team-high five ground balls for the Antelopes with Zane Clark (Phoenix, AZ) having a pair of caused turnovers with Ryan Jackson (Tucson, AZ).

Pfeiffer will get back to action on Friday traveling to Winter Park, Florida for a match up at Rollins. The Florida swing will finish on Sunday at St. Leo.